Special Clinical Focus

Minimally invasive procedures over the entire area of the spinal column, including lateral, transthoracic and retroperitoneal approaches, percutaneous techniques and movement-maintaining surgery for degenerative conditions

Second opinions and revision procedures (failed back surgery syndrome)

Navigation-guided procedures in spinal procedures

Clinical research in the area of subjective and objective outcome analysis

About us

Asst Lect. Dr Oliver Gautschi is a specialist neurosurgeon at the Central Switzerland Neurology and Spinal Centre at the Hirslanden St. Anna Hospital in Lucerne. His focus is on spinal surgery. Here, whenever possible, he invariably relies on minimally invasive methods, which, for the patient, are considerably more gentle than an open procedure. Navigation-guided techniques, at which Dr Gautschi excels, are particularly precise and safe – here, with the aid of a CT scanner, computed three-dimensional views of the bones and the surrounding structures are at his disposal during the procedure. This technique facilitates the surgeon’s orientation in the fragile region of the spinal column. Dr Gautschi completed his medical studies at the University of Basle and subsequently obtained his doctorate in 2005.

Following this, he was an assistant in the course of a research stay at renowned institutions in Australia. In 2016, he ultimately presented his postdoctoral thesis on the topic, ‘Subjective and objective outcome measures in spine surgery’ at the University of Geneva. Dr Gautschi also continues research in this specialised field. The range of services of the specialist neurosurgeon, Dr Gautschi, includes the surgical treatment of tumours of the spinal column and the spinal cord. He skilfully performs surgery via lateral, transthoracic and retroperitoneal approaches and possesses a high degree of expertise in percutaneous techniques. Dr Gautschi also specialises in movement-maintaining surgery for degenerative conditions. Outstanding specialists in the fields of cerebral neurosurgery (cranial surgery) and spinal neurosurgery (spinal surgery) are assembled under one roof at the Central Switzerland Neurology and Spinal Centre. Together with the optimal treatment for the patients, one focal point of the specialists is also the application of the most advanced technology from research, by which they can frequently provide a perspective for patients with serious conditions. The Hirslanden St. Anna Hospital is equipped with first-rate technical facilities. Of course, MRI and CT are on hand for precise radiological diagnostics, as well as neuromonitoring for monitoring the brain and the spinal cord.

In addition, the specialist neurosurgeons can rely on the most up-to-date equipment for navigated procedures, as well as the Gamma Knife, surgical microscope and endoscope and also have access to orbital surgery. All the employees at the Hirslanden St. Anna Hospital in Lucerne are optimally trained and ensure that the procedures continue with as little red tape as possible, the waiting-times are kept brief and the medical contacts for the patients are able to be reached quickly. As well, we take kindness and empathy for granted!